Masterplan submitted in ‘game changer’ for district

LONG-AWAITED plans for the biggest development in a Yorkshire town for decades have been submitted, with councillors hoping it will create 1,000 new homes and more than 2,000 jobs.

The £300m Olympia Park project, to transform derelict land to the north of Selby, has been submitted to the council this week.

Selby and Ainsty Conservative MP Nigel Adams, yesterday told the Yorkshire Post he believes the scheme will be a “game changer” for the district helping to transform its economy.

“This is an extremely ambitious scheme that will transform one of the entrances to the town and bring much-needed jobs and investment,” he said.

“I have lived in and around Selby all of my life and most people are fed up with the way that route to the town from York looks.

“It is a real eye-sore with all these disused mills.

“This development is something I am sure will be welcomed by the vast majority of people in Selby.”

The Olympia Park development, masterminded by landowners BOCM Pauls and Selby Farms, has been in the negotiation stage for more than two years.

The scheme will provide an estimated 2,000 permanent new jobs and around 1,000 new homes during a 10-year build programme.

Sections of land behind the existing BOCM Pauls mill will be opened up for housing, with other areas used for warehousing and industry, as well as offices.

Coun Mark Crane, the leader of Selby District Council, told the Yorkshire Post now the plans have been submitted he expects it will take the full 13-week consultation period before they go before councillors on a planning committee.

“The size of the development is massive,” he said.

“Even though it is a huge development for the area there has been very little opposition to this from residents.

“The area it is going to be built on is a brownfield site, and such a rundown part of the district.

“People want to see it tidied up.

“There is cross-party support over this development.

“It really is vital for Selby as the number of houses helps us hugely towards the number we need to build in the district.

“This is the biggest development in Selby for decades.”

It is the second major development to be brought forward in Selby in a matter of months, after plans were announced for a £50m marina development in March.

The new multi-million pound plans for the site at the former Rigid Paper Mill, where Selby Canal joins the River Ouse, would bring in an estimated 100 new jobs as well as strengthening the town’s tourism offer.

The plans also include around 380 new homes, six retail outlets and restaurants, and a marina with space for 44 boats.